Active Transportation/Parks/Trails

Join the Bicycle Tourism Initiative Saturday, September 20th for a scenic and informative 50-mile ride with many stops along the Historic Columbia River Highway.  Learn some great stories about the highway presented by ODOT's Kristen Stallman and some equally interesting factoids about salmonids delivered by knowledgeable staff from State Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Metro.  Meet at Corbett High School for the ride start.  The route follows the Historic Columbia River Highway east to Bonneville and the Cascade Hatchery at Eagle Creek.  The tour returns to Corbett along the Historic Highway and continues to Troutdale for a last glimpse of salmon and a discussion about the historic highway's role in Oregon's tourism economy.

For more information, click here.  Register here.

Cathlapotle Plankhouse - Traditional Technology Weekend, August 9 & 10, 2014

Where:
Cathlapotle Plankhouse on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

When:       

August 9, 2014: 12pm-4pm: Local artists Greg Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) and Greg Archuleta (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) will be in the Plankhouse demonstrating and exhibiting Chinookan art, basketry, carving and First Foods. Justin Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) will be teaching and sharing Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples.

August 10, 2014:  12pm- 4pm. Discover tools and technology that our human ancestors across the globe have used for thousands of years, such as atlatl throwing, archery, flint knappin, friction fires, Chinookan carving, Basketry, First Foods and Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples. Participation in these activities is encouraged! Children's activities will also be available from 12pm-4pm.

Cost:         
Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Event Summary:
The weekend of August 9th and 10th, experience traditional tools, technologies, language and art of Chinookan Peoples of the Lower Columbia River. As part of our annual Artist-In-Residence series, on August 9th local artist's Local artists Greg Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) and Greg Archuleta (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) will be in the Plankhouse demonstrating and exhibiting Chinookan art, basketry, carving and First Foods. Justin Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) will be teaching and sharing Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples. On August 10th we will expand our gaze to explore technologies that have been used by Chinookan people and human ancestors around the globe such as archery, atlatl throwing, flintknapping (making arrowheads and other stone tools) and making fire by friction. Greg Robinson, Greg Archuleta, and Justin Robinson will also be in the house showcasing traditional art and language of Chinookan people. There will also be special activities for children all day. Participation in many of these demonstrations is encouraged!

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a modern Chinookan Plankhouse built to interpret the Chinookan village of Cathlapotle that once existed on what is today Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge property.  At the time Lewis and Clark visited Cathlapotle, it had 14 large plankhouses and a population of over 900 people.  The modern Cathlapotle Plankhouse is used to provide educational programs to youth and the general public through our Lifeways, Landscapes, and Wildlife Interpretive Program.  To learn more about the Plankhouse visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org or contact Sarah Hill at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or (360) 887-4106. For wheelchair access to this event, please contact Sarah prior to the event date.   

Once again Tualatin Riverkeepers are hosting a canoe & kayak race for elected officials on the Tualatin River. Being an election year, we are opening up the event for candidates who are on the ballot. This is a fun event and spectators can rent a canoe or kayak after the race is over. Call your mayor, city councilor, school board member, county commissioner, governor, senator or representative and urge them to get in the race. Racers should arrive by 7:30am at the Cook Park Boat Ramp.

Nestled between majestic Willamette Falls and historic downtown Oregon City, the Three Rivers Artist Guild is holding its annual First City art and wine festival this weekend.  Admission to mill tours, festival, live music, and parking is free.  Fine art and delicious food and beverages will be for sale.   Come have fun looking at photography, fused glass, paintings, watercolors, jewelry, woodworking, pottery, mosaics, and metal sculpting.    

If you've always wanted to explore the Clackamas Watershed, but haven't been sure where to start, come on a CRBC hike this year!

Spend the day learning about geology, local flora and fauna, and the history of the Clackamas Watershed, while experiencing incredible scenery. This is a great opportunity to visit environments close to home, often pristine ones, that emphasize the natural beauty and biodiversity the Clackamas River Basin has to offer, leaving hikers with a greater sense of appreciation and motivation to protect these valuable resources.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming hikes:

* June 28th - Thunder Mountain

* July 12th - Bull of the Woods Fire Tour

* August 16th - Mount Lowe and Rhododendron Ridge 

Read full hike descriptions including meeting locations HERE.

All tours are led by CRBC Board Member Bryon Boyce. See hike descriptions below for meeting locations. Bring plenty of water, a camera, bug spray, and a lunch. Be aware that temperatures in the upper watershed are cooler than in town so layer clothing for comfort and wear appropriate footwear. Hikes are free and participants will carpool. RSVP to attend by emailing Morgan Parks at MORGAN@CLACKAMASRIVER.ORG or calling 503-303-4372 x101. 

Next Hike - June 28th at Thunder Mountain

This diverse route crosses several high elevation passes and hillsides varying from dry rocky huckleberry fields to lush wet meadows, finally reaching the open top of Thunder Mountain at 5185 ft. To the north is Mount Hood, to the east Fish Creek Mountain, to the southeast Olallie Butte and to the south Mount Jefferson. Little remains of the once important lookout tower.

Wildflowers grace portions of the area. Local climate and soil conditions make a contrast between species-poor dry areas and species-rich wetlands. The route includes abandoned and active trails and decommissioned roads. There are several interesting geologic features remaining in this once-volcanic area.

This hike is mostly within the Clackamas drainage and rated as moderate at 8 miles in length with an overall elevation gain over 1000 ft. Meet at the Oregon City Shopping Center at 1900 McLoughlin Blvd. in Oregon City, at 8:30 am. Park in the lot adjacent to the entrance near the bank. We will be stopping along the way at an interesting geological site called the "Molalla Eye" that you won't want to miss! This is a full day hike.